Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel adult
Winterflowers Clear Persuasion
"Crystal"

Named for the 'Cavalier King', King Charles II, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was once a great favorite at the English court. He is known for the soulful expression in his large dark eyes and appears in numerous paintings from the time. Times change, and the Cavalier gradually fell from favor. By the mid 1920s, the little dog had all but disappeared.

Then an American visited England looking for the dogs he had seen in the paintings of Charles' time. Finding none, he offered a cash prize to British breeders for the dog who most closely resembled the lost Spaniels. By 1945, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was back.

The Cavalier is a toy Spaniel and is a descendent of the King Charles Spaniel and Cocker Spaniel. He was bred to be a companion. Today, the Cavalier retains his enormous popularity as a family pet in Great Britain.

The Cavalier stands up to 13 inches at the shoulder, weighs up to 18 pounds, and has a long, silky coat. His coat may be Blenheim (white with chestnut markings), solid red, black and tan, or tri-color. Daily brushing is necessary to keep his coat tangle-free.

A loving, devoted, and friendly dog, the Cavalier is good natured and loves children. Generally a great companion for all ages, young children must exercise some care when the Cavalier is still a puppy due to his small size. Cheerful, lively, and sociable, he gets along well with other people and other dogs.

The Cavalier is intelligent and obedient with an eager to please nature. Training comes easily to him. Harsh methods should never be used or he may become fearful. The Cavalier does well as an indoor dog, and should live in a home with a fenced backyard. He should take his daily walks on the leash.

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